Cheria Vonique Dial

Dr. Cheria Vonique Dial was born in Cleveland, Ohio on Friday, January 28, 1972, to Marcia Dial and Bruce Hagins. Cheria came from humble beginnings and was regarded as the “neighborhood” daughter. Her smile and laugh always lit up the block. As a child, Cheria always knew what she wanted. Early on, her mother recognized that Cheria was talented, so she enrolled her in the Gifted & Talented program in elementary school. Cheria held the office of President of Student Council in the fifth grade, then went on to participate in the Upward Bound program at Case Western Reserve University. One of the greatest highlights of Cheria’s high school career was her decision to participate in the foreign exchange student program in Mexico. At the time, she didn’t know how to say “hello” (“hola”) in Spanish, however, that didn’t stop her. While in Mexico, she lived with two different families where she learned to speak Spanish fluently. As a high school senior, not only did she live abroad and learn a new language, even becoming fluent, she was also named the Valedictorian at Glenville High School, Class of 1990. Her high school career was a major success. In 1990, Cheria stepped onto the Tufts University campus in Medford, Massachusetts, her doting mother and aunt dropping her off into a new world. Not sure about the Medford/Boston environment, after growing up in the vibrancy and diversity of Cleveland and studying abroad in Mexico, 1990s Boston seemed daunting. However, Cheria decided to take her chances on a life in Medford and everyone who met her at Tufts benefited from her choice. “Cheria was one of the best memories of my time at Tufts!” says a fellow Tuftonian. This sentiment only partially captures the fullness of just how beloved Cheria was by her fellow “Jumbos” at Tufts University. A natural leader with a quiet and calming presence, Cheria stood as an icon of hope, love, tranquility, quiet strength, and inspiration to all of her friends. At Tufts, Cheria, lovingly called “Ree Ree,” thrived academically and socially as an unofficial “Global Ambassador” to all groups on campus; she was a feminist, a champion of African/African American culture, a Tufts spirit champion as a manager of its men’s basketball team; and an active “hands on” community service leader. She majored in International Studies with a minor in Spanish, serving as the Orientation Coordinator for new students entering her major. When asked to describe Cheria in one word, her fellow Jumbos provided the following: Beautiful, Brilliant, Caring, Compassionate, Consistent, Cool, Determined, Devoted, Effervescent, Exuberant, Generous, Genuine, Good-hearted, Graceful, Gracious, Infinity, Joyful, Kind, Loving, Luminous, Open, Phenomenal, Playful, Prophetic, Radiant, Resilient, Sunshine, Sweet, Tenacious, Warm, Warm-hearted, Warrior . . . While at Tufts, Cheria became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in Spring 1993. She developed a deep bond with her sorority sisters that lasts to this day and has extended from Xi Tau chapter, her chapter of initiation in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Columbus Alumnae Chapter in Columbus, Ohio. Cheria always had a heart of scholarship, sisterhood, and service, so it was only natural that she became a Delta for those very same attributes. She was a wonderful and loving sister, mentor, and friend to many women. Delta Sigma Theta was blessed to have her. After college, Cheria decided to pursue teaching, sharing her expertise of the Spanish language and her commitment to underserved communities. In 1994, Cheria became a corps member with Teach for America and was assigned to the city of Baltimore. She joined the faculty at Southwestern High School as a Spanish teacher. She was loved by her students and developed deep relationships with her colleagues. Her focus on language and culture helped her develop creative strategies to engage a challenging population of kids. She became a part of a young cadre of teachers who were socially conscious and African centered. These colleagues became her surrogate family in Baltimore, and her son, Jahi, was born into this close-knit circle. After the birth of Jahi, Cheria returned to Ohio to begin her career in higher education. Although Cheria was a loyal Tufts alumna, she was an Ohio State University Buckeye through and through. Not only did she earn three degrees from Ohio State, a Masters in Black Studies, a Masters in Higher Education & Student Affairs, and in May 2021, a Doctorate in Education, over her many years at Ohio State, Cheria put down strong roots and made many contributions to university life. Quite simply, Cheria was a university treasure. Whether through her work in Honors & Scholars (1999-2012) or Residence Life & Housing (2012-2020), Cheria’s reach into the lives of countless students, administrators, and faculty was extensive. She was a friend, mentor, and colleague to many who counted on her for wise counsel, a listening ear, and compassion and empathy. When you encountered Cheria, she made you feel like she had all the time in the world for you, and that you were the only person in the room. In her always gracious and generous way, she was a champion for all students, and in particular, those who felt unseen on a large campus. Cheria brought all of herself to Ohio State, even welcoming Jasiri in 2009, and as a result, created tight communities of family with others. Students always felt at “home” with Cheria and her boys. Cheria was a skillful bridge-builder who was able to navigate the complexities of university life in a way that increased understanding and appreciation for all people and their life circumstances. Ohio State was a better place because of Cheria’s presence in the lives of so many. Of all the roles that Cheria held in her life and for all the people she befriended, loved, and held close, her greatest joy and accomplishment was being a mother to her sons. They were her heart and will carry on the legacy of light and love that is Ree Ree. Cheria is survived by her sons, Jahi Sekou and Jasiri Zaki; brother, Jemarrio; father, Bruce; and a host of family and friends who will cherish her memory and boundless love. May the many ancestors and her beautiful mother, Marcia, welcome our dear Cheria into their arms. May she rest in everlasting peace.